Our hearts are aching.
Aching for this beautiful country we are watching turn to ash before our eyes.
For the people who have lost their lives, and the families left behind.
For the hundreds of millions of native animals who never stood a chance.
For the countless other animals – the cattle, sheep, horses, chickens, goats… the sheer scale of suffering and devastation of these catastrophic fires sweeping across the country is like nothing we have seen before.
To the many people who have contacted us asking what they can do to help, thank you. We share your anguish and understand your feelings of helplessness. We are providing immediate support to expert wildlife vets from @vets_for_compassion to travel to fire-devastated Mallacoota in Victoria to assist local carers dealing with injured koalas. We are also working with authorities and organisations that are on the ground, so that we can determine the most effective way for Animals Australia to provide direct and meaningful assistance to animals affected by the fires. We are urgently working on this plan and will reveal further details as they are finalised.
While this is a distressing time, everywhere we look we are seeing the very best of humanity – communities supporting each other, opening up their homes and properties, offering anything and everything they have to help others. And as thousands are forced to flee for their lives, we see firefighters running toward the danger – literally into deadly fires, some to never return. The bravery, compassion and sacrifice of emergency services workers is unmatched, and we stand with the rest of Australia in extending our deepest gratitude to these heroes.
If you are wishing to help animals affected by the fires, Animals Australia is taking donations for @vets_for_compassion to assist their efforts to reach and provide expert care for affected wildlife in Victoria.
Donate now